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Sports Briefs

Thomas Barkman of Anchorage took first place in July in the Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby for the 322.8-pound fish he landed on July 1. Barkman also continues to lead the overall derby.

Other winners were Michael Wayne Jones of Valparaiso, Fla., who took second with the 301-pound halibut he landed on Sunday; James Grimes of Montauk, N.Y., who took third place with the 294.4-pound halibut he landed on Sunday; William Newbery of Montauk, N.Y., who took fourth place with the 284.4-pound halibut he landed on Monday; and George Robbie of Monaca, Pa., who took fifth place with the 247.2-pound halibut he landed on July 25.

Soldotnas Johnnie finishes second in Palmer

Soldotnas Charlie Johnnie finished second in the Top Sportsman category Sunday at Alaska Raceway Park in Palmer.

Johnnie, in his 1967 Chevy Nova, finished second to Dean Cramer of Anchorage. This was a repeat of last weeks finish, where the racers wore their tuxedos in celebration of Cramers wedding the day before.

On his winning run, Cramer dialed-in at 10.97 seconds. A dial-in time is the time the racer thinks it will take him to finish. Go under the dial-in time, and the racer is disqualified. But go over by too far, and the racer doesnt stand a chance because the racer who finishes closest to his or her dial-in time gets the victory.

Cramer hit his time right on the button, using a reaction time of .523 seconds, .500 second is generally considered perfect, to come in at 10.97 seconds for a run of 120.00 mph.

Johnnie dialed in at 10.73, and with his reaction time of .578 he finished his run in 10.74 seconds and 123.26 mph.